to a limited extent,
I won her confidence. Gradually I became convinced that my brother was
indeed disloyal to his country, to his name, to us all. It was at
that tea time you have mentioned when I finally made up my mind. I had
already bought a revolver; and, with it in my pocket, I went to the
Savoy for dinner."

He rose and paced the floor.

"I left the Savoy early and went to Stephen's rooms. I was resolved to
have it out with him, to put the matter to him bluntly; and if he had
no explanation to give me I intended to kill him then and there. So, you
see, I was guilty in intention if not in reality. I entered his study.
It was filled with strangers. On his sofa I saw my brother Stephen
lying--stabbed above the heart--dead!" There was a moment's silence.
"That is all," said Lieutenant Fraser-Freer.

"I take it," said Hughes kindly, "that we have finished with the
lieutenant. Eh, Inspector?"

"Yes," said Bray shortly. "You may go."

"Thank you," the boy answered. As he went out he said brokenly to
Hughes: "I must find him--my father."

Bray sat in his chair, staring hard ahead, his jaw thrust out angrily.
Suddenly he turned on Hughes.

"You don't play fair," he said. "I wasn't told anything of the status of
the captain at the War Office. This is all news to me."

"Very well," smiled Hughes. "The bet is off if you like."

"No, by heaven!" Bray cried. "It's still on, and I'll win it yet. A fine
morning's work I suppose you think you've done. But are we any nearer to
finding the murderer? Tell me that."

"Only a bit nearer, at any rate," replied Hughes suavely. "This lady, of
course, remains in custody."

"Yes, yes," answered the inspector. "Take her away!" he ordered.

A constable came forward for the countess and Colonel Hughes gallantly
held open the door.

"You will have an opportunity, Sophie," he said, "to think up another
story. You are clever--it will not be hard."

She gave him a black look and went out. Bray got up from his desk. He
and Colonel Hughes stood facing each other across a table, and to
me there was something in the manner of each that suggested eternal
conflict.

"Well?" sneered Bray.

"There is one possibility we have overlooked," Hughes answered. He
turned toward me and I was startled by the coldness in his eyes. "Do you
know, Inspector," he went on, "that this American came to London with
a letter of introduction to the captain--a letter from the captain's
cousin, one Archi